Activation of Agrp neurons modulates memory-related cognitive processes in mice

[Display omitted] Hypothalamic Agrp neurons are critical regulators of food intake in adult mice. In addition to food intake, these neurons have been involved in other cognitive processes, such as the manifestation of stereotyped behaviors. Here, we evaluated the extent to which Agrp neurons modulat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inPharmacological research Vol. 141; pp. 303 - 309
Main Authors Zimmer, Marcelo R., Schmitz, Ariana E., Dietrich, Marcelo O.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2019
Subjects
Agouti-Related Protein - metabolism
Animal model
Animals
Cognition
Eating
Female
Hypothalamus
Hypothalamus - physiology
Male
Maze Learning
Memory
Mice
Neurons - metabolism
Neuropeptide Y - metabolism
Animal model
Cognition
Hypothalamus
Memory
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Summary:[Display omitted] Hypothalamic Agrp neurons are critical regulators of food intake in adult mice. In addition to food intake, these neurons have been involved in other cognitive processes, such as the manifestation of stereotyped behaviors. Here, we evaluated the extent to which Agrp neurons modulate mouse behavior in spatial memory-related tasks. We found that activation of Agrp neurons did not affect spatial learning but altered behavioral flexibility using a modified version of the Barnes Maze task. Furthermore, using the Y-maze test to probe working memory, we found that chemogenetic activation of Agrp neurons reduced spontaneous alternation behavior mediated by the neuropeptide Y receptor-5 signaling. These findings suggest novel functional properties of Agrp neurons in memory-related cognitive processes.
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Authors’ contributions
M.R.Z. performed the Y-maze experiments, designed the studies, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. A.S. performed the Barnes Maze experiments, designed the study, and analyzed the data. M.O.D. helped performing the Y-maze experiments, supervised the work, designed the studies, analyzed the data, and wrote the manuscript.
ISSN:1043-6618
1096-1186
DOI:10.1016/j.phrs.2018.12.024